NBA standings after 12 games: Celtics lead, Nuggets close behind

The NBA regular season is twelve games in, and the league table already shows a clear early leader in Boston, followed by a tight chase from Denver and Milwaukee.
Boston Celtics sit atop the standings with 30 points earned from a 10‑2 record, the strongest start among the 30 clubs and a cushion of three points over the nearest challenger.
Denver Nuggets occupy second place with 27 points after posting a 9‑3 record. Their performance keeps them within striking distance of the Celtics, but the three‑point gap means the lead remains secure for now.
Milwaukee Bucks hold third with 24 points and an 8‑4 ledger. The Bucks have kept pace with the league’s front‑runners, but a win in the next matchup could tighten the race for the top three.
Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are dead‑locked at 21 points each, both sporting 7‑5 records. The tie places them just a win away from the Bucks, and head‑to‑head results will likely determine who claims the higher seed.
Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns share the eighth spot, each with 18 points from 6‑6 records. Their identical records reflect a mid‑table balance, and upcoming games will be pivotal for climbing into playoff contention.
Dallas Mavericks sit at 15 points with a 5‑7 record, while Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves each have 12 points from 4‑8 marks. The lower‑half clubs must improve quickly to avoid falling further behind in the race for postseason berths.